MEMBERS of a Helensburgh volunteer group have teamed up with a new helpline offering support and assistance to those in isolation during the coronavirus crisis.

Helping Helensburgh, which was set up in March at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown, is joining forces with the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface (TSI) to provide a telephone befriending service.

Volunteers will offer a friendly, listening ear to those who are alone due to social distancing guidance and the group has issued an appeal for more residents to help out.

READ MORE: Helensburgh rallies round to battle pandemic

They will work in partnership with the TSI's recently launched Caring for People helpline which can offer help with financial, business, health, education, registration, social, domestic and medical home care needs and volunteering.

The helpline can be reached on 01546 605524, from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday.

To become a befriender with the Helping Helensburgh group, or to have a befriender contact you, message the 'Helping Helensburgh' Facebook page or call Val at The Toy Shop on 01436 677500.

Angela Fleming, Helping Helensburgh founder, said: "We are trying to help with the emotional impact of social distancing and we are acutely aware with lockdown being extended and people shielding for 12 weeks that isolation may begin to play a bigger part in people's lives."

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